US-PH relations can 'stand on its own', not dependent on other bilateral ties — US envoy
The improving bilateral relations between the US and the Philippines, which weakened during the past administration, is not a "counterbalance" to the also strengthening partnership between China and the Philippines.
US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson made the clarification on Wednesday as China, on its path to the "Chinese modernization," continues to improve its relations with its the Philippines and its neighbors, an effort which apparently matches that of the US' relationship with the Philippines. This is so despite the various territorial and sea disputes of China with other countries that is viewed as concerning by the Western power.
For Carlson, the US-Philippines relationship "stands on its own" and is "inherently valuable" with the two countries' 76 years of diplomatic relation. It has nothing to do with China.

While the US, like any other countries in the world, wants to have "constructive relations" with China, Carlson stressed that the US is also looking for partner countries that share its values, which include the view to have a "free, open, prosperous and secure world."
"And so that inherently includes the Philippines as a key partner... If you have countries that don't share the same leadership goals that don't share open, free systems...that's problematic and not meaningful for everyone," she said at a Mangrove Forum held at US Embassy in Manila.
Carlson gave assurance that the US stands ready for the Philippines to assist or respond to any "threats and provocations," including those that are caused by disputes on Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction.
"In the South China Sea, as allies, we stand together to oppose attempts by those who seek to advance unlawful maritime claims in the Philippine exclusive economic zone or on its continental shelf," she added.
"We call upon the PRC (People's Republic of China) to fulfilll its treaty obligations under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention to comply with the legally binding decision of the Arbitral Tribunal in 2016 ," she added.